Tuesday, May 23, 2017

CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERS TO ST.JOSEPH’S P U COLLEGE BY MRS LILLY



CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERSTO ST.JOSEPH’S PRE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

     The Christians had made a big difference in the social and educational history of India. The Christian brothers are not an exception to this. Christian Brothers’ Organization was founded in Ireland to promote the education of poor children and to bring them to the mainstream. Born with service motive, the Organization rapidly became very popular and branched out all over India, thanks to their dedication and efficiency.
     Coming to Mangalore in 1977, the Brothers chose St. Joseph’s High School, Bajpe as the village was economically backward and the people were craving for education. They settled down to carry out their mission. They served here for forty years down the line and left an indelible imprint in the minds and the hearts of the local people. Many of those who had studied here are well settled at various places within the country and without. They gratefully remember the Brothers for their selfless service in shaping their lives.
    I was appointed in 1976 as an assistant teacher in the high school section of St. Joseph’s P. U. College which was run by Catholic Board of education, Mangalore. The very next year, Rev. Fr. Bernard L. D’souza, the then principal of the college handed over the management of the institution to Christian Brothers as per the order of the Bishop of Mangalore. It was a great event witnessed by me because there upon the institution scaled new heights of achievements year by year. In those forty years, the institution had the service of four able principals in Rev. Br. C. J. Harrison, Rev. Br. Wilfred D’souza, Rev. Br. Conrad D’souza and the erstwhile principal Rev. Br. Hector B. N. Pinto, all of whom had contributed in unique ways.
The first principal, Australia born Br. C. J. Harrison, was a smiling simple and noble personality who used to mingle with the staff of the institution with love and respect. He used to take special care of the children of economically poor parents and created a clean and tidy environment for their education besides providing for their food and uniform. He personally planted watered plants and trees in the campus that still bear testimony to his hard work and concern for nature. Despite his ignorance of the local language, he never found the want of it in communicating with the local people. Besides, his attempts to learn a few choice expressions in Kannada brought him near to people.
    Rev. Br. Wilfred D’souza took the reins of the college in 1982. His attempts to bring in all round progress of the students brought laurels to the college in the form of state level ranks. He started English Medium in the high school section, in addition to the Kannada medium which was already there. He became a torch-bearer to many families by helping his students to get employments using his connections. Thus he did a memorable service in making the institution people-friendly besides taking it to the new heights of success.
     Rev. Br. Conrad D’souza, a man of few words but a hard worker, became the principal in 1988. He was known for punctuality and efficiency, never compromised with quality. Although he was a tough task master, he was equally soft at the core, especially when he dealt with the students. It was during his tenure that the science stream was introduced in the college besides starting a Job Oriented Course in computers. Using his friendship, he arranged for the desk tops that were required for the course. Besides, he cooperated in the construction of the Golden Jubilee building.
    Rev. Br. Charles D’souza who was born and brought up in Bajpe, was in charge from 2005 to 2010. He served in the institution where he had studied. An efficient administrator, Br. Charles is soft spoken and simple. He is very sensitive and eager to respond to the woes of everyone. His special contribution is discipline in the institution. He gave much attention to the Kannada medium students and encouraged them to perform better. He is such a Samaritan that he used to help the needy parents in case of illness. Being a good counselor, he used to counsel the students whenever needed. Understanding the need of the rural students, he arranged after-school classes for them. He silently built the new state of the art college building and never craved for personal recognitions. He used to provide tender care for the students and the staff.
    From 1995 till today, Rev. Br. Hector B. N. Pinto has been the principal. An efficient administrator, Br. Hector reached this height at a very young age. Being an old student of the institution, he took special care of it. During his tenure the institution has achieved an unprecedented progress. He is a simple man with a magnetic personality, loved by both the staff and the students. He was equally admired by the local people. Himself being a sportsman, Br. Hector encouraged sports-- the football and the volleyball teams reached national levels many times. He has given equal importance to academic activities-- the library cum reading room bespeaks that. The vast and well-maintained play ground and  Edmund Rice Auditorium are his special contributions. He has also maintained a beautiful garden with benches in shade for the students to sit and study. He worked burning the midnight oil, solely for the institution. 
     As the time passes, years remain just numbers but the respect and support the Christian Brothers had showered on the teachers remain still green in my mind. I had never seen them, maintaining gaps between the principals and the staff. The amount of equality and freedom   had pushed everyone to give their best to St. Joseph’s to make it what it is today. The ever increasing number of students bears testimony to the fact that the institution is admired by people. I am pained to hear that the Brothers are leaving the institution after nurturing it for forty long years. Their departure is an irredeemable loss to the people of Bajpe. Besides expressing gratitude for their selfless service, I pray God to help them in their future endeavours.         
                                                                                               Mrs. Lilly Coelho

                                                                                                                       Ex-staff member

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